Godspeed You! Black Emperor

The experimental post rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor (also written as GYBE) from Montreal, Quebec kicked off as Godspeed You Black Emperor, so without that exclamation mark. And that was not entirely correct, since a 1976 Japanese documentary captured on 16 mm film served as a source of inspiration.

That movie was originally called ゴッド・スピード・ユー! Black Emperor, which, translated into English, means God Speed You! Black Emperor. Please note that in the movie title a space separates the words God and Speed, while the band Godspeed joined the words.

That last word is used to wish someone luck or success (as in 'to bid someone Godspeed'). In the documentary that was the prototype for the band name (director: Mitsuo Yanagimachi) the adventures of a notorious Japanese biker gang, the Black Emperors, are followed closely.